Build a smaller, responsible, transparent and efficient government administration.

1. Weak political will to implement the decentralization program.

2. Too much power concentrated at the center.

3. The separation of powers is practically non existent and the Executive has an over-abundance of unchecked power, vested and delegated through the position of President. This has made the position of President too powerful, resulting in a failure to critically analyze the numerous challenges our nation faces.

8. Minimal input from the Executive Office of the President in overseeing the preparation of the national budget by the Budget Office.

9. Government leaders have a culture of thinking that being a government leader especially at high levels .i.e. Ministers, puts them above other citizens. They have been allowed to carry out their business in a brash manner, and spend half their time in office trying to ensure the security of their respective positions. This has in effect created a perfect condition for corruption, and dishonest dealings in government business to thrive.

10. Lack of utilization of specialized professionals to formulate and execute government policies. Politicians should do politics, and should not be left with a blank check over their respective ministries.

The Problem

GOAL

CDP’s strength lies in its political will to see a radical change in our country’s government business.

1. Immediately implement the decentralization program.

2. Pass legislation that will restrict the President to appointing Cabinet ministers from outside Parliament. Cabinet ministers will not be members of parliament to avoid conflict of interest and ensure separation of powers between the Legislature and the Executive.

3. Pass legislation that will establish the position of an elective provincial governor, city and town mayors.

4. Reduce current levels of corruption by minimizing interaction between the civil service and the general public by introducing technology in service provision.

5. The Budget Office will formulate the President's spending plans and evaluate the effectiveness of ministry programs, policies, and procedures, assess competing funding demands among ministries, and set funding priorities.

6. Shut down duplicated programs and programs that are under performing or outlived their use and resources reallocated to other under funded programs.

7. There will be no cabinet minister reshuffles in a CDP government. This will encourage continuity of policy and efficiency. Changes will occur in the manner of appointments and dismissals. In addition to the current practice of parliament ratifying appointments of cabinet positions, dismissals will also require approval of parliament.

8. As part of the cost containment program, CDP will reorganize and reduce the current 22 ministries to 18. The position of deputy minister will be phased out and all resources reallocated to under funded ministries or projects. The permanent secretary will be the number two officer to the minister.

9. The CDP Administration will comprise the following Ministries;

i. Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives

ii. Ministry of Commerce and Tourism (former min. of commerce Trade and Industry).

v. Ministry of Energy and Industry Development (Former min. of Energy).

vi. Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

vii. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

viii. Ministry of Gender, Child and Youth Development

ix. Ministry of Health.

x. Ministry of Home Affairs.

xi. Ministry of Information and Communications (former min. of communications and Transport).

xii. Ministry of Justice.

xiii. Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

xiv. Ministry of Lands, Water and Natural Resources Development (former min. of Lands).

xv. Ministry of Local Government and Community Development ((with a dept. of Housing) former min. of Local Gov and Housing).

xvi. Ministry of Mines and Environment (Former min. of mines).

xvii. Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology Development (Former min. of Science and Technology and Vocational Training).

xviii. Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development (with a dept. of Transportation) ( former Ministry of Works and Supply))

10. Allocate the 8 seats reserved for nominated Members of Parliament to “marginalized” constituencies;

i. The Business community—1

ii. The Youth –2

iii. The House of Chiefs –1

iv. Peasant and Commercial Farmers --2

v. The Civil Society-NGOs –1

vi. The Physically challenged—1

11. Work with Faith-based organizations, Community-based organizations and Non-governmental organizations in the fight against poverty.

12. The CDP foreign policy will be based more on what is best for the Zambian economy than other principles. All foreign missions will be evaluated and those found not beneficial to the country will be shut down under the cost containment program.

For two decades, the fight against corruption has yielded very little results. While it is important to chase after individual perpetrators of corruption, it is highly important to also change the environment in which these individuals operate. The system of checks and balances is not aggressively pursued and/or implemented, and the Executive Branch of government is practically the backyard of the sitting president and party, who is given too much leeway to make arbitrary decisions. The Executive will remain to be a sacred cow, as long as this branch is answerable to itself only.

The CDP will suggest and enact legislation to promote an open system, encouraging checks and balances in the three arms of government, where we will see a reduction of power in the Executive, compensated by equal distribution of power in the two other arms of government in order for the entire government to be transparent.